College football: Lakeland kicks off season today

Lakeland College (7-3 last season) football kicks off at 1 p.m. today against Carroll University (6-4 last season). The Muskies and Pioneers are opening the season against each other for the fifth consecutive year.

Carroll has won each of the first four meetings, but all four have been competitive. The Pioneers won last year, pulling out a 27-18 win after Muskies quarterback Dylan Van Straten was injured in the fourth quarter.

A pair of true freshmen top the depth chart, with A.J. Veloz slated as the starter for the opener. Because of that inexperience, the Muskies will look to lean on Burks, who ran for 679 yards last season. Carroll comes in winning four of its last five games, while posting four straight winning seasons. The Pioneers boast a strong power running game, averaging 250 yards per game.

Carroll and Lakeland are both picked to finish in the middle of their respective conferences. The Muskies came in fourth in the NACC poll of league coaches, behind defending champion Concordia Wisconsin, Benedictine and Wisconsin Lutheran. The Muskies defeated the latter two teams last season and took their only conference loss to Concordia in the annual Cheese Bowl Game.

Live video and statistics for the game will be availabale from Lakeland College at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/lc/.